Experiencing audio issues on Discord can be frustrating, especially when you can’t hear your friend during an important conversation or gaming session. This common problem often has simple solutions that many users overlook. If you can’t hear your friend on Discord, start by checking basic settings like volume levels, mute status, correct output device selection, and whether you’ve accidentally enabled the deafen function.
Connection problems might also prevent you from hearing friends on Discord. Poor internet connectivity, outdated audio drivers, or Discord server issues can all contribute to this frustrating experience. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as restarting the Discord app or switching to a different voice server region.
Discord offers several built-in troubleshooting features to help resolve audio problems. Users can try using the legacy audio subsystem, adjusting voice settings, or checking if voice-altering software is interfering with Discord’s functionality. For persistent issues, reinstalling Discord or updating your system’s audio drivers often helps restore normal communication.
If you can’t hear your friend on Discord, several possible reasons could be causing the issue. Here are the most common causes and their solutions:
1. Check If They Are Muted or Deafened
- Your friend might have accidentally muted their microphone.
- They might be server muted or deafened if you’re in a server with permissions set up.
- Ask them to check their mic settings.
2. Check Your Output Device
- Go to User Settings (⚙️) > Voice & Video.
- Under Output Device, make sure the correct speaker or headphone is selected.
- Try switching to a different device if necessary.
3. Adjust Volume for Your Friend
- Right-click your friend’s profile in the voice channel.
- Ensure their volume is not set too low.
4. Check Your Computer’s Audio Settings
- If you’re on Windows, right-click the sound icon in the taskbar > Open Sound settings.
- Under Output, make sure the correct device is selected.
- Ensure Volume Mixer isn’t muting Discord.
5. Restart Discord
- Close Discord completely and reopen it.
- Try logging out and logging back in.
6. Reset Voice Settings
- Go to User Settings > Voice & Video.
- Scroll down and click Reset Voice Settings.
7. Update Audio Drivers
- If you’re on Windows, update your sound drivers via Device Manager.
- If you’re on Mac, ensure your OS is up to date.
8. Disable Exclusive Mode (Windows)
- Right-click the speaker icon > Sounds > Playback tab.
- Select your default device and click Properties.
- Under Advanced, uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control.
9. Check Discord Server & Regional Settings
- If you’re in a voice server, try switching the Server Region under server settings.
- You may also experience issues if Discord’s servers are down.
10. Try Another App
- Check if your friend’s microphone works in other apps like Zoom or Skype.
- If not, they may have a hardware issue.
If none of these steps work, try reinstalling Discord or contacting Discord support.
Key Takeaways
- Check basic settings first including volume levels, mute status, and correct output device selection.
- Try Discord’s built-in troubleshooting options like legacy audio mode and voice settings reset.
- Hardware issues and outdated drivers often cause audio problems that reinstalling or updating can fix.
Initial Checklist for Discord Audio
When audio issues arise on Discord, a systematic check of your settings can quickly identify and resolve the problem. These simple steps help pinpoint whether the issue lies with your hardware configuration, Windows settings, or Discord’s internal audio options.
Verify Audio Input and Output Devices
Discord might be sending audio to the wrong device, causing you to miss your friend’s voice. Open Discord settings by clicking the gear icon near your username. Navigate to the “Voice & Video” section in the left sidebar.
Check that your desired output device appears in the “Output Device” dropdown menu. Incorrect device selection is a common reason users can’t hear anything. Make sure you’ve selected the headphones or speakers you’re actually using.
For input devices, verify your microphone is properly selected so others can hear you. Test both input and output devices using Discord’s built-in sound check:
- Click the “Let’s Check” button under Input Mode
- Speak into your microphone and watch for the indicator bar to move
- Test your output device with the “Test” button next to Output Device
If Discord doesn’t detect your preferred devices, try unplugging and reconnecting them.
Check Default Communication Device
Windows might route Discord audio to a different device than your system default. Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar and select “Sounds” or “Sound settings.”
Navigate to the “Playback” tab in the classic sound control panel. Find your preferred audio device, right-click it, and select “Set as Default Device” and “Set as Default Communication Device.”
Setting the correct default communication device ensures Windows directs Discord’s audio to your preferred output. This step is crucial since Discord often uses the system’s communication device rather than the general playback device.
After changing these settings, restart Discord completely:
- Right-click Discord in the system tray
- Select “Quit Discord”
- Reopen the application
Volume Mixer and Volume Settings
Windows Volume Mixer can independently control Discord’s volume separate from system volume. Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar and select “Open Volume Mixer.”
Find Discord in the applications list and check if its volume slider is too low or muted. Low volume settings in the mixer can prevent you from hearing others even when your system volume is high.
Within Discord itself, verify individual user volumes aren’t accidentally set to zero. During a voice call, hover over a user’s icon and check their volume slider. Sometimes friends get accidentally muted this way.
Discord also has an automatic input sensitivity feature that might silence quieter voices. In Voice & Video settings, look for “Input Sensitivity” and try disabling automatic detection by toggling off “Automatically determine input sensitivity.”
Advanced Audio Settings in Discord
Discord offers several advanced audio settings that can help fix common voice chat problems. These settings include voice reset options, audio subsystem adjustments, and quality of service configurations that can dramatically improve your voice chat experience.
Reset Voice Settings on Discord
When audio issues persist in Discord, resetting voice settings can often resolve them quickly. Users can find this option in the Voice & Video section of Discord settings.
To reset voice settings:
- Open Discord and click the gear icon (User Settings)
- Navigate to App Settings > Voice & Video
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page
- Click the “Reset Voice Settings” button
- Confirm the reset when prompted
This process returns all voice-related settings to their defaults. It clears any custom input/output device selections, volume levels, and voice processing options that might be causing problems.
After resetting, users should reconnect to their voice channel and check if they can hear their friends. Many connection issues resolve immediately after this reset.
Troubleshooting with Audio Subsystem
The Audio Subsystem in Discord controls how the application processes sound. Switching between audio subsystem options can fix various audio problems that prevent users from hearing their friends.
Discord offers two main audio subsystem options:
- Standard: The default option that works for most users
- Legacy: An alternative system that may work better on older computers or specific hardware configurations
To change the Audio Subsystem:
- Go to User Settings > Voice & Video
- Scroll down to the Audio Subsystem section
- Switch from Standard to Legacy (or vice versa)
- Restart Discord when prompted
The Legacy Audio Subsystem often helps when users experience unusual static, echoing, or can’t hear certain friends in voice channels. This change is particularly effective for computers with older sound drivers or unique audio hardware.
Quality of Service Settings
Discord’s Quality of Service (QoS) settings prioritize voice chat data packets on your network. Adjusting these settings can help resolve issues where users can’t hear their friends due to network congestion.
To modify QoS settings:
- Open User Settings > Voice & Video
- Scroll to the Quality of Service section
- Toggle “Enable Quality of Service High Packet Priority” on or off
When enabled, QoS tags Discord’s voice packets as high priority on your network. This can improve call quality and reduce audio dropouts. However, some routers don’t handle QoS tags correctly, which can actually cause connection problems.
If users still can’t hear their friends after trying other solutions, disabling QoS often helps. This is especially true on networks with older routers or certain ISP configurations that might block or mishandle QoS-tagged packets.
For users with multiple devices on their network, enabling QoS can help prioritize Discord voice data over other applications like streaming services or downloads.
Hardware and Peripheral Checks
When Discord audio problems occur, the issue often lies in your physical equipment or system configurations. Checking hardware connections and settings can quickly resolve many common problems that prevent you from hearing friends in voice channels.
Assess the Microphone and Headphones
Start by examining your physical hardware connections. Make sure headphones and microphone jacks are fully inserted into the correct ports on your computer. A loose connection can cause intermittent audio issues or complete sound failure.
Test your headphones with another device like a smartphone to confirm they work properly. This simple check eliminates faulty hardware as a potential cause.
For wireless headsets, check battery levels and verify the Bluetooth connection is stable. Low batteries often cause audio dropouts or poor quality.
Try alternative headphones or earbuds if available. If you can hear through different headphones, your original set may be defective.
Some gaming headsets have physical mute buttons or volume controls that might be accidentally engaged. Inspect these controls to ensure they’re set correctly.
Correct Output Device Selection
Discord might be sending audio to the wrong output device if you can’t hear anything. Check Discord’s audio settings by clicking the gear icon near your username.
Navigate to Voice & Video settings and verify the correct Output Device is selected. If set to “Default,” try selecting your specific headphones or speakers from the dropdown menu instead.
Windows users should:
- Right-click the sound icon in the system tray
- Select “Open volume mixer”
- Locate Discord and ensure its volume slider is not muted or set too low
For Mac users, check System Preferences > Sound to confirm your output device selection matches what you’re actually using.
Some users find success by changing Discord’s audio subsystem if hardware compatibility issues exist. Try switching from Standard to Legacy mode in Voice & Video settings.
Update Audio Driver
Outdated or corrupted audio drivers frequently cause Discord voice problems. Right-click the Start button and select “Device Manager” to access your audio drivers on Windows.
Expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” section to view your audio devices. Right-click your sound card or audio device and select “Update driver” to install the latest version.
For more reliable results, visit your computer or sound card manufacturer’s website to download the most recent official drivers. Generic Windows drivers sometimes lack full functionality.
After updating drivers, restart your computer and Discord to apply the changes. This refresh often resolves lingering audio issues caused by outdated software.
If problems persist, try disabling audio enhancements in your sound settings or turning off hardware acceleration in Discord’s Voice settings. These features can sometimes interfere with proper audio transmission.
Software and Application Updates
Software updates address bugs, enhance features, and fix security issues. Discord updates regularly fix voice chat problems and add improvements.
Regularly Update Discord
Keeping Discord updated is crucial for solving audio problems. The application doesn’t always auto-update properly, which can lead to voice chat issues.
To manually check for updates:
- Click on the gear icon (User Settings)
- Scroll down to find “App Settings”
- Look for any “Update Available” notification
If Discord shows it needs an update, users should install it immediately. After updating, restarting both Discord and the computer helps ensure all changes take effect properly.
Some audio problems occur because new Discord features aren’t compatible with older versions. Users who consistently update the application experience fewer voice connectivity issues with friends.
Alternative: Web Version of Discord
When desktop app issues persist, the web version of Discord offers a reliable alternative. Users can access it through any modern browser by visiting discord.com and logging in with their credentials.
The web version often works when the desktop app has audio problems. It uses different system resources and processes, bypassing potential conflicts in the installed application.
Benefits of the web version:
- No installation required
- Updates automatically
- Fewer resource demands
- Bypasses local system conflicts
The browser version works especially well for quick troubleshooting. If users can hear friends on the web version but not the app, this confirms the problem lies with the installed application rather than account settings.
Reinstalling Discord
When updates and alternative versions don’t solve audio issues, reinstalling Discord completely often resolves deeper problems. This process removes potentially corrupted files and configuration settings.
The reinstallation process:
- Uninstall Discord from Control Panel/Settings
- Delete remaining Discord folders in AppData
- Type %AppData% in File Explorer address bar
- Delete the Discord folder
- Also check Local AppData folder
- Type %LocalAppData% in File Explorer
- Delete any Discord folders
- Download a fresh copy from discord.com
- Install and log in again
This clean installation removes any corrupted cache files or broken configurations. Users should save any important server information before uninstalling, though Discord stores most data on its servers.
Network Considerations for Discord VOIP
Discord relies heavily on a stable internet connection to function correctly. Network issues often cause voice communication problems when users can’t hear their friends on Discord calls.
Checking Server Region
Discord allows users to change the voice region for servers, which can significantly improve call quality. If you’re experiencing audio issues, try changing the voice region in the server settings.
To change a server’s voice region:
- Right-click on the server name
- Select “Server Settings”
- Go to the “Overview” tab
- Find “Region Override”
- Select a different region closer to you or your friend’s location
This can reduce latency and improve voice quality. If the server is hosted far from either user’s location, voice data must travel further, causing delays or dropped packets. Selecting an optimal region means shorter distances for data transmission.
Refresh Discord Connection
Sometimes, network glitches create temporary communication problems. Refreshing the Discord connection often fixes these issues without requiring complex troubleshooting.
Users can try these quick connection fixes:
- Disconnect and reconnect to the voice channel
- Restart the Discord application completely
- Check network indicators in Discord – a red X appears over the connection icon when there are network problems
For persistent issues, users should try switching between WiFi and mobile data if available. On mobile devices, they can tap into Settings and toggle between connection types to see if one provides better performance.
Discord’s VOIP service requires UDP protocol support, so users with VPNs should verify their VPN supports UDP. Many workplace or school networks block Discord, requiring users to connect through alternative networks.
In-Depth Troubleshooting Steps
When you can’t hear your friend on Discord, systematic troubleshooting can identify and fix the issue. These advanced solutions focus on configuring input modes correctly and using Discord’s built-in debugging tools to resolve persistent audio problems.
Reviewing Input Mode Settings
Input mode settings often cause voice chat issues on Discord. First, check your audio settings by clicking the gear icon near the microphone and headphone controls at the bottom of the Discord window.
In the Audio & Video section, make sure the correct input and output devices are selected from the dropdown menus. Many users accidentally leave these on “Default” when specific devices need to be chosen.
Test your microphone using the “Test Mic” feature and adjust input sensitivity if needed. The input bar should move when you speak.
For persistent problems, try switching between Voice Activity and Push to Talk modes. Voice Activity automatically detects when you’re speaking, while Push to Talk requires a key press to activate your microphone.
If using Push to Talk, verify you’ve set and are using the correct keybind.
Executing a Detailed Debug Process
Discord offers built-in debugging tools to identify complex audio issues. Start by running the audio debugging test found in User Settings > Voice & Video > Let’s Check. This test examines your connection quality and audio device compatibility.
For deeper analysis, enable Debug Mode:
- Open User Settings
- Navigate to Appearance
- Scroll down and toggle on “Developer Mode”
- Press Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows) to open the debug console
The debug console reveals detailed information about your audio troubleshooting process and can identify specific errors.
Try changing your audio subsystem between Standard and Legacy in Voice & Video settings. Standard works better for most modern systems, but Legacy might resolve compatibility issues with certain audio drivers.
Check if your sample rate settings match between Discord and your operating system. Windows users should verify this in Sound Control Panel.
